If you’re a brand new parent, there’s a dirty little secret you should know. There will come a time when you don’t like your child very much. You will never not love them, but there will be a moment when — if you’re honest with yourself — you will find yourself so aggravated, so frustrated, so angry at your child that you may be surprised by the terrible thoughts that pop into your head.

Kids are sweet, precious, adorable little people who depend on us for nearly everything. They’re also messy, loud, demanding, irritating human beings. Let’s just be honest about that.

Don’t beat yourself up if you have moments when you look at your child and wonder what in the world you’ve gotten yourself into. You’re not alone. Talk to a trusted friend. Take a walk. Get a little fresh air — and find a little perspective. The very things that drive you crazy now just might be the things you miss most when your little chickadee flies the coupe.